Use the sites discussed in class to (1) assemble information about your school and (2) write one or more paragraphs for each type of information that you find.You should be able to combine these paragraphs, along with an introduction and conclusion to create a free standing, coherent, evidence-based description of your school.
Be sure that each of your paragraphs includes:
A strong topic sentence.
An explanation of why the data you chose to cite relates to the subject you are addressing, e.g. in a paragraph about the teaching at a school, you should state why you feel that the student/teacher ratio informs your judgement about the school's ability to provide high quality teaching. These sentences should be based on the definitions of some of these measures on the InfoWorks site, but can also include your own reasoning about the subject.
Multiple pieces of specific data to support your claim. Each measure should include a comparison, e.g. with state averages, so that the reader can judge whether the value is relatively high or low.
Include the students' view of the school when possible. Results from the student surveys can be found on the new Infoworks site.
Note: Tables are not provided on this page because it is possible to just copy and paste the tables from the Infoworks site directly in this page or into Evernote!
Useful Sources:
Harris Elementary School
60 High School Street
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 02895
Our Mission Statement:
"Harris School will challenge all children to reach their fullest potential and to function successfully as students, citizens, and members of society."
Grades K thru 5
Originally built in 1876
demolished 2001
New school on original site opened 2003
21 classrooms plus
cafetorium, gymnasium, library, technology lab, and music and art rooms.
80% eligible for subsidized lunch program (46%)
13% receive special education services (15%)
4% receive ESL services (6%)
Summary Paragraph(s)
According to the school website, Harris Elementary School in Woonsocket Rhode Island is a school with history. It was originally built in 1876 after the high school on the same site was destroyed by fire. In 2001 that building was demolished and by January 2003 a new school was opened again on the same site. Harris Elementary has twenty-one classrooms, a cafetorium, a gymnasium, a library, a technology lab, and music and art rooms. The school serves children from kindergarten through grade five and currently student count is at four hundred and thirty one with a 92.4% attendance rating. Nearly half the student body is listed as white, 32% are Hispanic, 8% are African American, 6% Asian and 5% are Multiracial. 80% of the student body is eligible for the subsidized lunch program, the statewide average is 46%. 13% of Harris elementary's students receive special education services as compared to 15% statewide and 4% receive ESL services compared to a state average of 6% (RIDE, 2013). The Harris School in its mission statement promises to challenge all children to reach their fullest potential and to function successfully as students, citizens, and members of society.
Student Achievement
Information Reported By Schools
NECAP Assessments
Harris School / NECAP Assessments
Year
% Proficient School
% Proficient State
Details
3rd Grade Math
2008-09
55%
60%
view details
3rd Grade Reading
2008-09
57%
69%
view details
4th Grade Math
2008-09
46%
63%
view details
4th Grade Reading
2008-09
50%
68%
view details
4th Grade Science
2008-09
22%
40%
view details
5th Grade Math
2008-09
40%
60%
view details
5th Grade Reading
2008-09
46%
68%
view details
5th Grade Writing
2008-09
39%
58%
view details
Year
% Proficient School
% Proficient State
Details
3rd Grade Math
2011-12
48%
60%
view details
3rd Grade Reading
2011-12
58%
73%
view details
4th Grade Math
2011-12
53%
65%
view details
4th Grade Reading
2011-12
57%
71%
view details
4th Grade Science
2011-12
20%
45%
view details
5th Grade Math
2011-12
53%
62%
view details
5th Grade Reading
2011-12
46%
69%
view details
5th Grade Writing
2011-12
35%
55%
view details
Information Reported By Students
AYP Report Card
Accountability Summary and Classification 2012-13.......Warning
Student group has too few students for evaluation.
Student group with no students for evaluation.
† Student group has fallen short of the target but has made sufficient progress.
‡ Student group has fallen short of the target due to participation rate.
NOTE:
For information on targets and classifications, please see Quick Guide.
TARGETS
TARGETS MET
TARGETS EVALUATED
15
16
Number of Target Areas Evaluated: 16
Number of Targets Met: 15
Areas that need improvement: hispanics/reading
Summary Paragraph(s)
The topic of standardized testing brings with it much controversy and heated discussion but it is currently the method used for assessing effectiveness of our Rhode Island schools. The Harris School is currently at a Warning level according to The Accountability Summary and Classification report for school year 2012 - 2013. The school met 15 of the 16 target areas evaluated in 2013. According to the AMO summary, the school failed to reach the target of 62.1% students reading proficient within the Hispanic student group. Two other student groups fell short of the target for reading proficiency but were described as having made adequate progress. These two groups were the economically disadvantaged students and the minority super-subgroup. As a result of these groups not meeting the target, the entire student body has been labeled as not meeting the target but making adequate progress in reading proficiency. In mathematics, the AMO summary shows that all student groups met and or exceeded the targets for 2013. Despite the fact that students at Harris elementary are meeting AMO targets, their reading, math, science and writing proficiency on the statewide NECAP tests are still below state averages. 2011-12 writing scores for 5th graders show only 35% proficient and this is actually down from 39% in 2008-09. The state average for the same test was 55% in 2011-12 and 58% in 2008-09. Reading scores at Harris in 2011-12 for 3rd grade was 58% proficient, for 4th grade 57% were proficient and in 5th grade only 46% were proficient. Again, the state averages were higher at 73%, 71% and 69% respectively. The 2008-09 report for reading proficiency showed a similar trend both school wide and state wide. In all three grades, the math proficiency improved between 2008-09 and 2011-12 but the Harris students still performed below the state average.
Teaching
Information Reported By Schools
0 emergency certification (1%)
3% not highly certified (3%)
ratio 1:12 (1:11)
Information Reported by Students
Summary Paragraph(s)
As class sizes grow, a teachers ability to reach each and every student can become over extended. Harris Elementary school reports a 1:12 teacher:student ratio which is very close to the reported state average ratio of 1:11. The Harris school website list three teachers each for kindergarten through third grade. Fourth and fifth grade list two teachers each and their is one classroom listed as a fourth and fifth grade mix. The school also list two physical education teachers, an art teacher, a music teacher and a library specialist. Also listed are two self-contained classrooms, primary and intermediate. According to Info Works, Harris elementary reports no teachers with emergency certification as compared to the state average of 1%. Both Harris and all of Rhode Island report 3% of their teachers are considered not highly qualified. According to Survey Works 2011-2012, the students at Harris school describe their teachers as just as engaging, having as much classroom control, and as effective within the classroom as teachers across the state. The parents at Harris elementary however, do not give the teachers the same high marks as their children. 50% of Harris parents surveyed report that the some of the staff had failed to keep their children interested in what they were learning. Across the state, only 16% of the parents polled made the same claim. At Harris, 29% of parents claimed all staff members kept their students interested versus 42% statewide. Unfortunately, Harris teachers did not respond to Survey Works 2011-2012.
Family,Community, and Home Life
Information Reported By Schools
Information Reported by Students
Parent Engagement This School Statewide
% %
My parents want to know what I'm doing in school 88.3 94.8
My parents like my school. 85.6 91.1
My parents want me to get good grades
Summary Paragraph(s)
Good teachers and strong teaching practices are important to a good education but just as important is support and guidance at home. Results from Survey Works 2011-2012 for Harris elementary school like those for the State of Rhode Island indicate that the majority of students feel they have supportive families. 88% of the students surveyed at Harris feel their parents are interested in what they are learning at school and want them to get good grades. Parent responses at Harris indicate a slightly lower but still significant amount of involvement in the school and in their child's education. At Harris and across the state, over 90% of parents surveyed claim they easily communicate with their child's teacher and understand their report cards.
Safe and Supportive Schools
Information Reported By Schools
Information Reported by Students
This School% Statewide% School Safety
I feel safe on my way to school. 90.9 91.5
I feel safe in the hallways of my school. 87.3 90.9
I feel safe when I walk outside of school 80.0 85.4
experienced 1 type of bullying 57.3 51,1
my teachers care about me 91.7 94.2
Summary Paragraph(s)
As we discussed in class, one responsibility of our children's schools is to keep them safe. The majority of Harris parents and their children report that they feel safe both in school and on the way to school. These numbers are similar across Rhode Island. However, bullying and fighting between students appears more prevalent at Harris according to Survey Works. 57% of Harris students have experienced at least one type of bullying compared to 51% for the state and 45% of the parents report physical fights between students compared to 32% for the state. Again, students did not provide any survey responses.
Funding and Resources
Information Reported By Schools
District Property Value per Student
FY2009
$252,937.50
—
District Tax Rate per $1000.00
FY2009
$12.97
—
District Per Pupil Expenditure
FY2009
$12,362
—
District Property Tax Capacity
FY2009
$30
—
District Tax Effort
FY2009
$180
—
District Median Family Income
FY2009
$38,353
—
Information Reported by Students
97% students that responded to survey works reported that their were enough textbooks and desks and school looked nice
67% of families say enuf classroom supplies (79% statewide)
62% of families say enuf computers (65% statewide)
Summary Paragraph(s)
With a median family income of $38,353, the city of Woonsocket is the third poorest district in Rhode Island and it is fifth from the bottom for dollars spent per student. The city of Woonsocket has a District Per Pupil Expenditure of $13,485 compared to $15,173 statewide on average according to the summary for 2010-2011. Unfortunately, teachers at the Harris school did not respond to Survey Works but 97% of the students that responded agreed that their school had sufficient textbooks, appropriate desks and that their school "looked nice". Family responses indicated that there are not enough classroom supplies, including textbooks, or computers but Harris family responses were very similar to statewide responses. In his book, Kozol explains that we do not need to tell students of low SES what they are missing because they already know "About injustice, most poor children in American cannot be fooled" (Kozol 1991). Based on their family's responses, students at the Harris school apparently have not had enough exposure to know what constitutes enough.
Use the sites discussed in class to (1) assemble information about your school and (2) write one or more paragraphs for each type of information that you find.You should be able to combine these paragraphs, along with an introduction and conclusion to create a free standing, coherent, evidence-based description of your school.
Be sure that each of your paragraphs includes:
Note: Tables are not provided on this page because it is possible to just copy and paste the tables from the Infoworks site directly in this page or into Evernote!
Useful Sources:
School Demographics and Geographical Location
Harris Elementary School60 High School Street
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 02895
Our Mission Statement:
"Harris School will challenge all children to reach their fullest potential and to function successfully as students, citizens, and members of society."
Grades K thru 5
Originally built in 1876
demolished 2001
New school on original site opened 2003
21 classrooms plus
cafetorium, gymnasium, library, technology lab, and music and art rooms.
80% eligible for subsidized lunch program (46%)
13% receive special education services (15%)
4% receive ESL services (6%)
Summary Paragraph(s)
According to the school website, Harris Elementary School in Woonsocket Rhode Island is a school with history. It was originally built in 1876 after the high school on the same site was destroyed by fire. In 2001 that building was demolished and by January 2003 a new school was opened again on the same site. Harris Elementary has twenty-one classrooms, a cafetorium, a gymnasium, a library, a technology lab, and music and art rooms. The school serves children from kindergarten through grade five and currently student count is at four hundred and thirty one with a 92.4% attendance rating. Nearly half the student body is listed as white, 32% are Hispanic, 8% are African American, 6% Asian and 5% are Multiracial. 80% of the student body is eligible for the subsidized lunch program, the statewide average is 46%. 13% of Harris elementary's students receive special education services as compared to 15% statewide and 4% receive ESL services compared to a state average of 6% (RIDE, 2013). The Harris School in its mission statement promises to challenge all children to reach their fullest potential and to function successfully as students, citizens, and members of society.Student Achievement
Information Reported By Schools
NECAP Assessments
Harris School / NECAP Assessments
Information Reported By Students
AYP Report Card
Accountability Summary and Classification 2012-13.......Warning- Student group has too few students for evaluation.
- Student group with no students for evaluation.
† Student group has fallen short of the target but has made sufficient progress.‡ Student group has fallen short of the target due to participation rate.
Summary Paragraph(s)
The topic of standardized testing brings with it much controversy and heated discussion but it is currently the method used for assessing effectiveness of our Rhode Island schools. The Harris School is currently at a Warning level according to The Accountability Summary and Classification report for school year 2012 - 2013. The school met 15 of the 16 target areas evaluated in 2013. According to the AMO summary, the school failed to reach the target of 62.1% students reading proficient within the Hispanic student group. Two other student groups fell short of the target for reading proficiency but were described as having made adequate progress. These two groups were the economically disadvantaged students and the minority super-subgroup. As a result of these groups not meeting the target, the entire student body has been labeled as not meeting the target but making adequate progress in reading proficiency. In mathematics, the AMO summary shows that all student groups met and or exceeded the targets for 2013. Despite the fact that students at Harris elementary are meeting AMO targets, their reading, math, science and writing proficiency on the statewide NECAP tests are still below state averages. 2011-12 writing scores for 5th graders show only 35% proficient and this is actually down from 39% in 2008-09. The state average for the same test was 55% in 2011-12 and 58% in 2008-09. Reading scores at Harris in 2011-12 for 3rd grade was 58% proficient, for 4th grade 57% were proficient and in 5th grade only 46% were proficient. Again, the state averages were higher at 73%, 71% and 69% respectively. The 2008-09 report for reading proficiency showed a similar trend both school wide and state wide. In all three grades, the math proficiency improved between 2008-09 and 2011-12 but the Harris students still performed below the state average.Teaching
Information Reported By Schools
0 emergency certification (1%)3% not highly certified (3%)
ratio 1:12 (1:11)
Information Reported by Students
Summary Paragraph(s)
As class sizes grow, a teachers ability to reach each and every student can become over extended. Harris Elementary school reports a 1:12 teacher:student ratio which is very close to the reported state average ratio of 1:11. The Harris school website list three teachers each for kindergarten through third grade. Fourth and fifth grade list two teachers each and their is one classroom listed as a fourth and fifth grade mix. The school also list two physical education teachers, an art teacher, a music teacher and a library specialist. Also listed are two self-contained classrooms, primary and intermediate. According to Info Works, Harris elementary reports no teachers with emergency certification as compared to the state average of 1%. Both Harris and all of Rhode Island report 3% of their teachers are considered not highly qualified. According to Survey Works 2011-2012, the students at Harris school describe their teachers as just as engaging, having as much classroom control, and as effective within the classroom as teachers across the state. The parents at Harris elementary however, do not give the teachers the same high marks as their children. 50% of Harris parents surveyed report that the some of the staff had failed to keep their children interested in what they were learning. Across the state, only 16% of the parents polled made the same claim. At Harris, 29% of parents claimed all staff members kept their students interested versus 42% statewide. Unfortunately, Harris teachers did not respond to Survey Works 2011-2012.Family,Community, and Home Life
Information Reported By Schools
Information Reported by Students
Parent Engagement This School Statewide% %
My parents want to know what I'm doing in school 88.3 94.8
My parents like my school. 85.6 91.1
My parents want me to get good grades
Summary Paragraph(s)
Good teachers and strong teaching practices are important to a good education but just as important is support and guidance at home. Results from Survey Works 2011-2012 for Harris elementary school like those for the State of Rhode Island indicate that the majority of students feel they have supportive families. 88% of the students surveyed at Harris feel their parents are interested in what they are learning at school and want them to get good grades. Parent responses at Harris indicate a slightly lower but still significant amount of involvement in the school and in their child's education. At Harris and across the state, over 90% of parents surveyed claim they easily communicate with their child's teacher and understand their report cards.Safe and Supportive Schools
Information Reported By Schools
Information Reported by Students
This School% Statewide%
School Safety
I feel safe on my way to school. 90.9 91.5
I feel safe in the hallways of my school. 87.3 90.9
I feel safe when I walk outside of school 80.0 85.4
experienced 1 type of bullying 57.3 51,1
my teachers care about me 91.7 94.2
Summary Paragraph(s)
As we discussed in class, one responsibility of our children's schools is to keep them safe. The majority of Harris parents and their children report that they feel safe both in school and on the way to school. These numbers are similar across Rhode Island. However, bullying and fighting between students appears more prevalent at Harris according to Survey Works. 57% of Harris students have experienced at least one type of bullying compared to 51% for the state and 45% of the parents report physical fights between students compared to 32% for the state. Again, students did not provide any survey responses.Funding and Resources
Information Reported By Schools
Information Reported by Students
97% students that responded to survey works reported that their were enough textbooks and desks and school looked nice67% of families say enuf classroom supplies (79% statewide)
62% of families say enuf computers (65% statewide)
Summary Paragraph(s)
With a median family income of $38,353, the city of Woonsocket is the third poorest district in Rhode Island and it is fifth from the bottom for dollars spent per student. The city of Woonsocket has a District Per Pupil Expenditure of $13,485 compared to $15,173 statewide on average according to the summary for 2010-2011. Unfortunately, teachers at the Harris school did not respond to Survey Works but 97% of the students that responded agreed that their school had sufficient textbooks, appropriate desks and that their school "looked nice". Family responses indicated that there are not enough classroom supplies, including textbooks, or computers but Harris family responses were very similar to statewide responses. In his book, Kozol explains that we do not need to tell students of low SES what they are missing because they already know "About injustice, most poor children in American cannot be fooled" (Kozol 1991). Based on their family's responses, students at the Harris school apparently have not had enough exposure to know what constitutes enough.Changes Over the Past Decade